The original static front seat belts / shoulder harnesses in my ’68 Mini Traveller are in poor condition, so I purchased a pair of Securon inertia reel seat belts (SB500/30) from a US parts dealer. These are sold in the UK by several Mini suppliers (Mini Spares, Somerford, etc), and the US dealer gets them from Mini Spares. The link below includes a photo showing all the mounting hardware:
http://www.7ent.com/...ck-sac0197.html
Securon belts are “universal” fit, and can be used in dozens car models. The installation instructions are generic, and show five different diagrams none of which are specific to a classic Mini. Except for the note about mounting the reel vertically, the directions are completely useless.
I read several Mini forum posts on installing Securon belts, and most mention bolting the reel inside the rear storage bin. My ’68 Mini has threaded mounting holes at the top and bottom of the B pillar, but nothing in the rear storage bin. None of the Securon brackets seem applicable to a ’68 Mini. Obviously the shoulder harness bolts to the top of the B pillar, and the only option is to bolt the inertia reel to the bottom of the B pillar.
Going by figure 1 in the instructions, the only place to attach the seat belt is behind the inertia reel at the bottom of the B pillar. Doing so means you can’t tighten the mounting bolt completely, or the belt won’t pivot. Plus the belt is twisted at an awkward angle. The seat belt and shoulder harness do operate in this configuration, but the harness and belt drag on their guides due to the sharp angles. The shoulder harness is to close to my neck, the reel tightens up too much, and fit is uncomfortable.
I now have my doubts these belts are intended for an early Mini. The Mini Spares link states “Fitment to early cars is possible. When raised stiffening section can be found in the rear glove box B-POST area with wheel box mounting and locating holes, approx 1974 FEB and onwards.”
http://www.minispare...|Back to search
I tried searching the Securon website for other adapters or alternative installation instructions and came up empty. I even sent Securon an email which they never responded to. They answer emails from Parts Retailers, but not from consumers. In fact, their website says for consumer to contact their "Parts Retailer".
Has anyone installed this model Securon in the front seats of an MkII Mini and been happy with the operation and fit? If so, I would love to see a picture of how you did so. At this point I am inclined to ship them back to the dealer.
Many thanks,
David Schwartz
